Automatic-circuit-breaker switchboard



J. P. HAYES AND J. E. BARNHART. AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKER SWITCHBOARD APPLICATION FILED FEB. v I9I9.

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FIE Z WiTNESSES J. P. HAY ES AND J. E. BARNHART.

AUTOMATIC ClRCUlT BREAKER SWITCHBOARD.

AP LICATION FILED FEB. 4, I919.

Patented Aug. '3, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2..

PHI-1.3.

l. P, HAYES AND-J. E. BARNHART. AUTOMATIC cmcun BREAKER SWITCHBOARD.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4, I9I9.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- FIE14- INVENTORS WITNESSES UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE. 9

JOH P. HAYES A n JOHN a BARNHART, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ToaZZwhom viz/{may concern: 1

Be it known thatwegJorm P.HAYEs.and J OHN E. Beam-ram, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Circuit-Breaker Switchboards, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements .in automatic circuit breaker switchboards, and mountings therefor for carrying various operative elements, constructed and adapted to the receivingiand distribution of electrical circuits. 3 7 7 i a It has for its object to. construct such an apparatus in a simple, compact and readily available form, providing ample room and capacity for attachment and connectionof the various conductorel'ements, to eliminate conductor material from the face of the switch board, to reduce or eliminate the amount of copper and insulating material heretofore used as a mounting for the switches, and to arrange the switches so that they will connect and cooperatewith the main bus bars, eliminatingthe usual sub busbars ordinarily used between the main bus bars and distributing branch switches,

thereby economically utilizing the bus bars,

both electrically and mechanically.

A- further object is to insure safety by eliminating exposed conductor parts from the face of the board and to dispense with fuses, as the latter are a source of expense on'variably loaded circuits, and are dangerous to switch operators, as is well known to those skilledin the art.

An important andnovel feature of-advantage is to so construct and incorporate a circuit breaker, of simple and 'e'fiicient con. struction, capable of being mounted between the adjacent vertically arranged panels or bases, so made and adapted to operate to break the circuit or circuits under an overload entirely within or'between the main panels, and to be re -set or to manually break the circuit, by means ofa handle projecting beyond the same and operable in either;

direction.

Other novel features and-elements of the invention will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanymg draw ngs, we have Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 4, 1919.

i AUTOMATIC-CIRCUITBREAKER"SWITCI-IBOARD.

Serial NO. 274,839.

illustrated one preferred construction and arrangement of apparatus embodying the invention,'which will clearly show its features of improvemenubut it .will be understood that it may be changed or varied in different features without'departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 1s a d'a'grammatic illustration of the switchboard, circuit breaker, circuits, j l

etc., showing an operative installation;

F g.2 1s-a partial front ,QlGVfitlOll'SllOW: mg the'mounting of a plurality of panels in edgewise adjacent relation with their supporting framework, and each circuit breaker and its parts as mounted thereon;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged face view in elevation of one ofthe complete circuit breakers, audits cooperating parts as mounted on the face of a'panel;

,Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line IV --IV of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, partly broken away, showing the construction of the circuit breaker and its parts, in circuit closing position;

Fig. 6 is a similar Viewshowingthe cir cuicp breaker and its parts in open position; an

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail viewon the line VII-VII of Fig- 5; I

The present invention is generally similar, in respect of the mounting of the circuit controlling elements on and between adja cent panels, and in other features, to the switchboard disclosed inlprior patent of John P. Hayes, of July 24', 1917, No. 1,234,471.

The frame of the switchboard, which may be made of any suitable standard construe: tion, as angle iron or the like, is generally rectangular or box like in form, having main supporting corner posts 2, suitably braced and connected and preferably closed across'it's front at intervals by cover boards 3 having slotted clearance openings 4 for the projecting operating handle 5 of each circuit breaker A. The main body portion of the circuit breaker consists of a disk-6 of insulating-material rotatably mounted upon a centralstud 7 extending from plate 24 secured to the panel board or base 13, and disk 6 is provided with one or a plurality of radially extending arms S'each' having a Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

laminated contact brush 9 of well known construction. Auxiliary carbon contacts 9 mounted on the ends of spring 9 are also preferably carried'by arms 8 and coiiperate 'with the brushes 9 in making and breaking the circuit, and acting to protect the laminated brushes in operation. These contact brushes are adapted to close and open the circuits between main bus bars 10, 11, 12 or the contacts 10, 11, 12 secured thereto, and the contacts 13, 14-,'15 of distributing lines 13, 14, 15 respectively, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, by rotation of disk 6.

The disk and its arms and brushes are normally returned to open position, when released either by automatic operation under overload or by reverse movement of a handle 16, as hereinafter described, by a tension spring 17, secured by one end to the disk 6 by pin 18 and by the other end to the plate 24on panel or base B, as at 19. The inner end 20 of handle 16 is swiveled on an extended bushing 21 of disk 6, which bushing is rotatably movable with the disk on supporting stud 7 extending from plate 24 on board B, as in Fig. 7. 1

For the purpose of rotatably shifting disk 6 against tension of spring 17 to throw brushes 9 into circuit closing engagement with terminals 10 -13, 11 -14, and 12- 15, respectively, we provide an actuating and releasable trigger mechanism between handle 16-20 and the disk 6. This consists of a toggle arm 22 pivoted to a stud 23 of plate 24, having a pivoted toggle jointed thrust arm 25 pivoted to its other end, as at 26, and provided with a retracting spring 27. Arm 22 is provided on its outer edge with a cam face 28 against which bears a roller 29' of handle lever 16 acting to com press the arm inwardly when the handle is thrust around to closing position, as in Figs. 3 and5. In the reverse or open position, Fig. 6, the toggle arms are free to move outwardly by spring 27 to bring the engaging terminal of arm 25 to operative position for resetting the circuit breaker switch.

Disk 6 is provided with a segmental opening 30 in which, between outer retaining plates 31-32 fixedly secured to the disk by bolts or screws, is mountedan abutment dog 33 pivoted at 34 on a pin between said plates, closely adjacent to one terminal or the dog; said terminal is, provided with a groove or notch 35 for engagement by the tapering terminal of toggle arm 25. Dog 33 is provided at its other end with a locking notch 36 coacting with a holding pin 37 on trigger arm 38, which is likewise pivoted by pin 39 between plates 31-32. Dog 33 is normally thrust outwardly against the inwardly pressing leverage action of arm 25 by a spring 40 secured to a stud of either plate 31 or 32, and trigger 38 is in the same manner provided with a retracting spring which stud is utilized for releasing the trigger from engagement with abutment arm 33 to in turn permit said abutment arm to quickly release by its notch 35 from holding engagement with toggle arm 25, to allow reverse rotation of disk-6 by spring 17, to open thecircuits. I

For the purpose of thus effecting release of trigger 38, we provide a push rod 44 normally retracted 1 by spring 45, slidably mounted in a bearing 46 and provided with a terminal 47, located in operative alinement with the stud 42 when the disk is in closed and locked position, as in Fig. The other end of push rod 44 is slidably mounted in a bearing 48 extending from base B or a plate thereon, and is provided with an actuating terminal 49 connected with one end of toggle lever 50. Said toggle levers are pivoted at 51 to a coacting toggle lever 52 pivoted by its other end at 53 to a suitable bearing 54 extending from base B.

. The toggle mechanism consisting of levers 50-52 is actuated by either stem or plunger rod 55 or 56 of solenoid magnets M and M respectively, of well known construction and operation. For such purpose, lever 52 is provided with a laterally extending plate abutment 57, through which plunger rod 55 100 projects and bears against in moving in the direction indicated by the arrow, by an adjustable terminal 58, to actuate the toggle mechanism and thrust rod 44 outwardly to unlock trigger 38. Stem 56 of magnet M 1 5 also passes through abutment 57 and pulls thereon by its terminal 59 when actuated to move in the same direction, when magnet M is energized. The construction and op eration of said magnets is well known and 110 needs no further description, except as hereinafter given in connection with the operating circuits, it being understood that they are in series with conductors 14 and 15.

The several bus bars 1O, 11 and 12 extend, 116 as shown, through the several panel boards B to any desired extent, depending upon the size of the installation, and are connected by suitable conductors with a source of energy, as indicated in the diagram, Fig. 1. In this 120 diagram. G and G represent two generators connected in series. The circuit breaker switch A with its arms 8 and the brushes 9 is shown in closed position with the brushes in contact with V the several terminals 10 -13, 11 -14, 12-15, respectively, generators G and G are connected by generator lines 60, 61 and 62 through the several bus bars 10,11 and 12 to their contacts 10, 11 and 12 respectively, and through I the laminated brushes 9'to distributing con I from contact 13. MagnetM is set to trip the circuit breakeron overloadof motor H and magnet M is set to trip the circuit v breaker on overload of motorl.

Assuming that the plunger of magnet M a Y is set in the ordinary way by thumb screw adjustment to trip on predetermined amperage, then should motor H take more amperes than allowed by overload or otherwise, depending upon its capacity, plunger rod 55 will move, actuating toggle arms 50-52 and effecting release of the trigger 38 through thrust rod 44, as described. Thisaction, by retracting pin abutment 37, allowsthe long end of pivoted abutment dog v33 to swing quickly outwardly, thus releasing engage ment by terminal of toggle arm 25 in notch 35, permitting toggle arms 22-25 to break and dog 33 and disk 6 to be quickly retracted by spring 17. Thereupombeing re leased from pressure of arm 25, spring 40 again thrusts abutment dog 33 outwardly and the disk may be reset, it beingunderstood that the handle 16 is thrust backwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 for another engagement to throw the disk again to closed position, Fig. 5.

Likewise, should motor I receive an excess of amperes over its predetermined amount, plunger of magnet M will move, straightening out the toggles 5052, and effect release .in the same manner. Each magnet M or M is, therefore, capable of independent operatiomas will be readily seen.

If desired, the contacts may also be broken manually by merely reversing the handle 16, thrusting it backwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6, permitting the disk 6 to rotate reversely but without actual disengagement of toggle arm 25, which in such case acts as a receding pawl. In such case, the contact brushes 9 are withdrawn from contact with the terminals 10 13 etc. The device is thus equally operative either automatically by overload of thecircuits, or at any desired time by hand operation, and either of the several individual circuit breakers, where several are used, are likewise operative independently in the same manner.

It will also be readily seen that the circuit breaker cannot be held closed by hand or otherwise under abnormal conditions on the lines due to overloaded devices or short circuits, because of trigger 36 being thrown out.

It will be understood that a suitable bear-' ing plate .65 is provided on the edge of disk 6 for the end of pawl toggle arm '25 and that a limiting pin 66 restrains outward travel of abutment dog 33. Said dog is also provided with an extended fender33 adapted to ride against pin .37 when dog33 is kicked in by pawl arm 25 when the dog is released by the trigger, as described. Also,

that disk 6 is provided at its inner side with a lug 67 adapted to engage a stop 68 on the panel board mounting whereby to limit the reverse rotation of disk 6 in breaking the .circult, as in Fig. 6.

What we claim is'i g 1. A circuit breaker consisting of a pivoted spring-retracted switch member having a circuit closing element and provided with a pivoted spring-actuated abutment dog, a pivoted holding and releasing trigger therefor, a compound toggle jointed lever adapted to engage and disengage the abutment dog, an operating handle therefor, and-an actuating device for the releasing trigger.

2. A circuit breaker consisting of a pivoted spring-retracted switch member having a circuit closing element and provided with a pivoted .spring actuated abutment dog, a pivoted holding and releasing trigger therefor, a compound toggle jointed lever adapted to engage and disengage the abutment dog provided with a cam, an operating handle therefor having a cam-engaging roller, and an actuating device for the trigger.

3. A circuit breaker consisting of a pivoted spring-retracted switch member having a circuit closing element and provided with a pivoted spring-actuated abutment dog, a pivoted holding and releasing trigger therefor, a compound toggle jointed lever adapt-- ed to engage and disengage the abutment dog provided with a cam, an operating handle therefor pivotally mounted with the switch member and having a cam-engaging roller, and an actuating device for the trigger.

4. A circuit breaker consisting of a pivot- :ed spring-retracted switch member having a circuit closing element and provided with a pivoted spring-actuated abutment dog, a pivoted holding and releasing trigger therefor, a compound toggle jointed lever adapted to engageand disengage the abutment dog, an operating handle therefor, an actuating spring-retracted rod for releasing the trigger provided with toggle jointed operating mechanism, and means for shifting said mechanism.

A circuit breaker consisting of a pivoted spring-retracted switch member having a circuit closing element and provided with a pivoted spring-actuated abutment dog, a pivoted holding and releasing trigger therefor, a compound toggle jointed lever adapted to engage and disengage the abutment dog, an operating handle therefor, an actuating spring-retracted rod for the releasing trigger provided with toggle jointed operating mechanism, and a magnet provided with a plunger in operative connection with said mechanism.

(5. A circuit breakerconsisting of a pivoted spring-retracted disk of insulating ma:- terial having a circuit closing element adapted to engage with and disengage from a pair of circuit terminals, an abutment dog pivoted-near one end in said disk provided at said end with a notched recess and at its other end with a trigger recess, a spring for said dog, a pivoted trigger carried by the disk having a co-acting terminal therefor and a projecting stud and a retracting spring, a pivotally connected compound spring-extended toggle lever pivoted inde pendent otthe disk and adapted to engage the notched recess ol -the abutment dog, and

' a pivoted handle adapted to depress and actuate the toggle lever.

7. A circuit breaker consisting of'a pivoted spring-"retracted disk of insulating material having a circuit closing element adapted to engage with and disengage from'a pair of circuit terminals, an abutment dog pivoted. near one end in said disk provided at said end with a notched recess and at its other end with a trigger recess, a spring for said dog, a pivoted trigger carried by the disk having a co-acting terminal therefor and a projecting stud and a retracting spring, a pivotally connected compound spring-extended toggle lever pivoted independent of the disk adapted to engage the notched recess of the abutment dog and having a cam edge, and a pivoted handle having a roller adapted to engage and depress the toggle lever.

8. A circuit breaker consisting of a pivoted spring-retracted disk of insulating material having a, circuit closing element adapted to engage with and disengage from a pair of circuit terminals, an abutment dog pivoted near one end in said disk'provided at said end with a notched recess and at its other end with a triggerrecess, a spring for said dog, a pivoted trigger carried by the disk having a co-acting terminal therefor and a projecting stud and a retracting spring, a pivotally connected compound spring-extended toggle lever pivoted independent of the disk and adapted to engage the notched recess of the abutment dog, a pivoted handle adapted to depress and actuate the toggle lever, and a magnet actuated push rod adapted to engage the projecting stud of the trigger.

9. In combination with a vertically arrangedpanel board and a bus bar passing transversely therethrough having aterminal adapted to be connected with an adjacent spaced terminal; a rotatable circuit breaker pivotally mounted 011 the face oi": the panel board having a retracting spring, a switch element adapted to engage said terminals. a pivoted notched abutment dog, a pivoted releasing trigger therefor, a pivoted operating handle and a toggle jointed compound lever arm therefor, an operating handle for saidlever, and a magnetically actuated releasing mechanism for the lever.

10. In combination with a vertically arranged panel board and a bus bar passing transversely therethrough having a terminal adapted to be connected with an adjacent terminal; a rotatable circuit breaker pivotally mounted on the face of the panel board iaving a retracting spring and circuit closing and opening mechanism adapted to make and break the circuit between the bus bar and a current utilizing device, a magnet in said circuit, shifting mechanism for rotating the circuit breaker to close the circuit provided with a releasing trigger, and a shifting releasing rod therefor provided with actuating mechanism in operative relation to said magnet.

In testimony whereof we hereunto afiix our signatures.

JOHN P. HAYES. JOHN E. BARNHART. 

